1
as in totals
a complete amount of something
the sum of human knowledge on that subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in summaries
a short statement of the main points
the district attorney delivered a sum of the evidence against the accused that was simply staggering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in heights
the highest part or point
he declared that he had reached the sum of joy when his newborn daughter was laid in his arms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in roots
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the sum of the issue is: who will pay for this?
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in adds
to combine (numbers) into a single sum
can sum figures in his head faster than I can punch them into a calculator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sums
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
Otherwise, the state or large cities would need to pay huge sums to fellow CAP users to persuade them to forgo their water and let more vulnerable users stay wet.
—Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Paul Mauro, a retired NYPD inspector and Fox News contributor who has been following the case, said some of the money could be coming from female supporters, but large sums could come from media outlets seeking exclusive interviews.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Typically, school board races only raise a few thousand dollars – small sums compared with more high-profile, partisan contests.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
Cuban’s support of restricting super PACs comes at a time when many team owners contribute sizable sums of money to political causes in hopes of influencing governmental and policy outcomes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2025
That’s because until very recently, spending large sums on AI wasn’t seen as a negative.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
This requires the Mint to produce significant sums of pennies each year.
—Ken Sweet, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
There were plausible reasons to sell senior players Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher — given the sums that were offered, or the fact that the players themselves were pushing for moves — but none had to be sold.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Katie Grant, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Still, according to the investigative media outlet Mongabay, Petroperú has accumulated nearly $100 million in penalties for environmental damage across the country — sums the highly indebted state-company is not likely to be able to pay in the foreseeable future.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Dobbins’ impact for the Broncos can be measured in several ways, but one stat maybe sums it up as well as any.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Spence’s post on social media after Spurs’ victory over Man City at the Etihad perfectly sums him up.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Defense attorney Marc Carlos argued Friday that prosecutors failed to turn up evidence that Bonillo was being paid large sums of money by the cartel.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
Otherwise, the state or large cities would need to pay huge sums to fellow CAP users to persuade them to forgo their water and let more vulnerable users stay wet.
—Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Paul Mauro, a retired NYPD inspector and Fox News contributor who has been following the case, said some of the money could be coming from female supporters, but large sums could come from media outlets seeking exclusive interviews.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Typically, school board races only raise a few thousand dollars – small sums compared with more high-profile, partisan contests.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
Cuban’s support of restricting super PACs comes at a time when many team owners contribute sizable sums of money to political causes in hopes of influencing governmental and policy outcomes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2025
That’s because until very recently, spending large sums on AI wasn’t seen as a negative.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2025
This requires the Mint to produce significant sums of pennies each year.
—Ken Sweet, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
There were plausible reasons to sell senior players Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher — given the sums that were offered, or the fact that the players themselves were pushing for moves — but none had to be sold.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Parents sat down with Avatar star and Academy Award-winner, Zoe Saldaña, who sums the film up beautifully.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Still, according to the investigative media outlet Mongabay, Petroperú has accumulated nearly $100 million in penalties for environmental damage across the country — sums the highly indebted state-company is not likely to be able to pay in the foreseeable future.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Dobbins’ impact for the Broncos can be measured in several ways, but one stat maybe sums it up as well as any.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Spence’s post on social media after Spurs’ victory over Man City at the Etihad perfectly sums him up.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sums
Noun
-
Job totals being cut in Raleigh and Wilmington were not disclosed by the airline.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
If dry air is stronger or advances farther south than expected, snow totals will trend lower.—
Joe Ruch,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Meeting summaries from the Danish Vaccine Council — an expert panel that advises Denmark on vaccine recommendations — from November, 2024 suggest growing interest in reassessing rotavirus, chickenpox and hepatitis B vaccinations.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Several Canadian viewers shared clips and summaries of the story on social media, and within hours, the videos went viral on platforms like Reddit and Bluesky.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
With some estimates putting wave heights as much as 35 feet, weakened hatch covers would have been vulnerable to such waves.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
During that episode, lava fountains from the south vent reached 1,500 feet, while eruptions from the north vent reached heights of 1,100 feet, according to the USGS.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The roots anchor in the soil, providing a firm foundation for stems, branches, and leaves.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Mulching too early traps heat and tricks plant roots to remain active and produce new growth.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The new proposal also adds an understory level for parking and storage that wasn’t included in the original plans.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Colandrea adds a dynamic offensive piece under coordinator Dana Holgorsen.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Only Spain misses out on the centerline, but long totalities are still possible there — up to 4 minutes, 40 seconds.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Cleaning the surrounding area, not just the stain, helps prevent outlines as the shoes dry.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The nascent anti-smartphones movement in America is decidedly nonpartisan, for the most part, and this contributes to its potential and also to the vagueness of its outlines.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
They can easily be transitioned from lounging at home to a street-ready outfit or casual traveling, as the stripes can be mixed and matched with a wide range of tops like blazers, denim jackets, and simple tees—all without looking sloppy.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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Keep browsing for discounts on other product categories as well, including sweaters, coats, tops, skirts, and more.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sums. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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